Cupra Formentor review
The Cupra Formentor is a sporty, coupe-SUV that’s talented enough to mix it with more established, premium rivals
Our opinion on the Cupra Formentor
The Cupra Formentor has been a real success for the sporty Spanish brand since its launch back in 2020. Its athletic styling and unique copper detailing help it stand out in a crowded small SUV marketplace that includes mainstream and more premium rivals.
The Formentor has always been good to drive, and there’s a good choice of petrol engines to consider, although the entry 148bhp models feel a little out of kilter with the overall sporty brand ethos. A mid-life facelift means that the plug-in hybrid models offer greater efficiency than ever before, while the top-of-the-range, all-wheel-drive versions continue to provide plenty of performance. Refinements to the infotainment system are welcome, although one downside is that some cabin materials aren’t quite at the level you might expect. But if you’re after a practical family car that prioritises the overall driving experience, and offers something a bit different to the SUV norm, then the Formenter is a solid choice.
About the Cupra Formentor
The Formentor slots between the Cupra Leon hatchback and the Cupra Ateca mid-size SUV in the Cupra model lineup, and we’d argue its sleek looks suit the more athletic image of the brand better than the boxy Ateca. With its lower roofline, the Formentor can’t match the Ateca for headroom or boot space. But the Formentor is still quite long, so it’s a practical car with a decent amount of space in the back, and up to 450 litres of cargo space – provided you pick the correct version.
Used - available now
2024 Cupra
Formentor
21,526 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L
Cash £22,149
2024 Cupra
Formentor
38,216 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L
Cash £18,749
2024 Cupra
Formentor
21,094 milesManualPetrol1.5L
Cash £17,274
2024 Cupra
Formentor
13,050 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L
Cash £22,336We’ve put the Cupra Formentor through its paces in a variety of ways since it made its debut in the UK. In order to get a full taste of what this sporty SUV is like to live with, our deputy editor, Richard Ingram, spent six months with a Cupra VZN as part of our long-term test fleet. While he thoroughly enjoyed the amount of driver engagement that was on offer, Richard’s sense of fun was soon quashed by some rather gut-wrenching fuel bills.
We’ve also pitted the Formentor against a number of its fiercely competitive small SUV opponents. The Audi SQ2, Peugeot 408, Alfa Romeo Stelvio, and even the previous-generation Porsche Macan have all gone up against the Formentor in our real-world group tests, and the Cupra managed to defeat all but the mighty Porsche thanks to its driver-focused nature, distinctive styling, and interior space. The entry-level Macan just edged ahead of the Cupra due to its more luxurious interior and peerless driving experience.
Cupra Formentor prices and latest deals
The Cupra Formentor line-up starts from around £35,000 for the entry-level V1 variant with a six-speed manual gearbox. If you’d prefer the seven-speed DSG automatic, this commands a near-£2,000 premium on the V1, V2 and V3 models. If you’d prefer plug-in hybrid power, this adds roughly £7,000 to the bill.
Naturally, moving up through the trim levels increases the price, especially if the more powerful VZ models tempt you. These go all the way up to nearly £50,000 for the fanciest Formentor VZ3. A special-edition VZN is also available, but only 4,000 of these will ever be made, so finding one will be a challenge. This model costs around £60,000 brand-new.
If you’d like to save an average of £8,000 on Cupra's curvaceous SUV, you can configure your ideal Cupra Formentor right now through the Auto Express Buy a Car service. You can also find the latest Cupra Formentor leasing deals or look for great prices on used Cupra Formentors. If you need to sell your existing car, be sure to visit the Auto Express Sell My Car service.
Performance & driving experience
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The Formentor engine range offers a decent array of options. Most Formentor models are front-wheel drive, with the more powerful 2.0-litre and top-of-the-range 2.5-litre models gaining four-wheel drive. The 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol and the 201bhp 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid are offered in combination with either the V1, V2, or V3 specifications. High-end VZ1, VZ2 or VZ3 trim levels can be paired with the 262bhp 2.0-litre petrol, more potent 268bhp 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid, and four-wheel drive equipped 328bhp 2.0-litre petrol. The upcoming VZ5 will exclusively use the 385bhp 2.5-litre, five-cylinder engine that’s related to the engine you’ll find in the Audi RS 3.
All e-Hybrid PHEV versions use a six-speed automatic, while petrol-only versions use a seven-speed automatic, or a six-speed manual in the case of the least powerful 1.5-litre petrol.
| Model | Power | 0-62mph | Top speed |
| Formentor 1.5 TSI 150 V1 | 148bhp | 9 seconds | 127mph |
| Formentor 1.5 eHybrid 204 V1 | 201bhp | 7.9 seconds | 130mph |
| Formentor 2.0 TSI 333 VZ3 4Drive | 328bhp | 4.8 seconds | 155mph |
Performance, 0-60mph acceleration and top speed
The Formentor borrows some of the more powerful engines from SEAT’s line-up, so there’s not a particularly slow version in the range. A 1.5-litre petrol with 148bhp kicks off proceedings, and its 0-62mph time of 9.0 seconds should have plenty of performance for most buyers.
Performance fans will be pleased to find that the facelifted Formentor range includes a 328bhp 2.0-litre petrol model. Thanks to standard-fit four-wheel drive and 420Nm of torque, the 0-62mph dash is dispatched in just 4.8 seconds, with a top speed of 155mph. If you want to tone things down just a bit, there’s also a 261bhp 2.0-litre petrol version that’ll sprint from 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds.
The limited-run Formentor VZ5 is the most powerful variant produced so far, with 0-62mph dealt with in only 4.2 seconds, and it’ll plough on to a top speed of 173mph.
Town driving, visibility and parking
Whichever Cupra Formentor model you choose, you’ll find it pretty straightforward to drive in and around town. If urban routes are where most of your driving takes place, then it’d probably make most sense to opt for the 148bhp petrol, or the lower-powered E-Hybrid - simply based on cost and overall efficiency.
The e-Hybrid models are a bit underwhelming when driven with any vigour; neither can shrug off the weight penalty of a heavy battery pack, making these versions feel slightly less agile in the corners, plus the suspension has had to be stiffened to compensate for the extra weight, so these versions don’t ride as well. Nor do they sound particularly inspiring when pushed, so a more sedate driving style in town, making the most of its all-electric range, suits this version best.
Due to its hunkered-down stature, the Formentor doesn't provide the same high driving position as many of its rivals. Sizeable C-pillars impede rear visibility, so we did find parking a little tricky at times. Thankfully, front and rear sensors are standard-fit, although you’ll need to fork out for a V2 or higher if you want a reversing camera.
Country road driving and handling
It’s best to keep the Formentor in the less hardcore driving modes, especially with the more comfort-oriented settings of the adaptive suspension fitted to VZ1 trims and above, which allow the Formentor to ride very well on the road. The firmest Cupra mode feels like it’s trying a little too hard and is best left at the track. The Normal drive mode is just right, with very little body roll and lots of grip, so you’ll feel confident in carrying some speed down a twisty country road.
Even in versions without adaptive suspension, Comfort, Performance, Cupra and Individual driving modes all provide a genuinely different experience through the chassis, steering wheel weight and drivetrain responses. The steering also gets heavier but doesn’t have any more feel, so it actually becomes slightly less enjoyable to drive.
The quickest Formentor models get four-wheel drive as standard, which doesn’t turn it into an off-road champion, but does add a feeling of security with additional traction in wintry driving conditions.
Motorway driving and long-distance comfort
In Comfort mode, you’ll find the Formentor is a perfectly pleasant car to rack up motorway miles. Road noise and wind noise are audible, although the SUV's naturally longer suspension travel (compared with a Cupra Leon) is happy to absorb bumps and ruts in the road – even on the larger 19-inch wheels the V2 and V3 models come with. (The basic V1 sits on 18-inch wheels).
“The Formentor is essentially a Volkswagen Golf R in a fancy frock, and it’s razor sharp to drive, with a suitably sporty soundtrack and limpet-like grip.” - Richard Ingram, deputy editor.
MPG & running costs
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Picking the 328bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine will bring fairly chunky running costs; it’s a high-performance petrol, with four-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox, so 32.1mpg and 198g/km are hardly surprising. The front-wheel drive 261bhp 2.0-litre TSI is better at 36.2mpg and 177g/km, but the most efficient petrol is the entry-level 1.5-litre TSI engine. It offers far more sensible efficiency, returning up to 47.9mpg and 133g/km of CO2 on the WLTP combined cycle in DSG automatic form, or 46.3mpg and 138g/km with a six-speed manual.
The plug-in hybrid has better efficiency, on paper. The 201bhp version has WLTP figures of 176.6mpg and 32g/km emissions, while the 262bhp gets 156.9mpg and 37g/km. In our experience with plug-in hybrids, it’s unlikely you’ll get near that in the real world, but you should get better efficiency than a diesel if you charge it regularly.
| Model | MPG | CO2 | Insurance group |
| Formentor 1.5 TSI 150 V1 | 46.3mpg | 138g/km | 21 |
| Formentor 1.5 eTSI 150 V1 DSG | 47.9mpg | 133g/km | 21 |
| Formentor 2.0 TSI 333 VZ1 4Drive | 32.1mpg | 198g/km | 35 |
Electric range, battery life and charge time
Both the 201bhp and 268bhp plug-in hybrid Formentors use a 25.8kWh battery that’s similar in size to other plug-in hybrid cars from the VW group, such as the Volkswagen Passat. This gives the Cupra Formentor eHybrid a range of up to 77 miles in 201bhp form or 72 miles in 286bhp guise.
The Formentor’s maximum charging speed has increased dramatically compared with its previous iteration, from a relatively slow 3.6kW AC charging speed up to a maximum of 50kW using DC charging, enabling a 10 to 80 per cent top-up charge of just 26 minutes from a rapid charger. The latter is an expensive way of recharging the Formentor, so we expect most owners will utilise a typical 7.4kW home wallbox charger, which will take around four hours to fully recharge a Formentor plug-in hybrid from empty.
| Model | Battery size | Range | Insurance group |
| Formentor 1.5 eHybrid 204 V1 | 25.8kWh | 77 miles | 26 |
| Formentor 1.5 eHybrid 272 VZ1 | 25.8kWh | 72 miles | 29 |
Insurance groups
Cupra Formentor Insurance premiums shouldn’t be too horrendous, with the line-up sitting as low as group 21 (out of 50). However, the fiery 328bhp four-wheel drive will push up the cost as this sits in group 35. In comparison, the BMW X2 resides in groups 22 to 40.
Tax
Every Formentor VZ model is subject to the luxury car tax (this applies to vehicles costing over £40,000), so this adds to an already expensive package. The V models can also creep over this threshold if you opt for PHEV power or a larger helping of optional extras. For business users, there are the choice of two e-Hybrid versions, although these can’t match fully-electric cars when it comes to Benefit-in-Kind tax savings. The Cupra Tavascan is the Formentor’s closest alternative if you’d prefer an EV from this Spanish brand.
Depreciation
The Cupra Formentor doesn’t suffer too greatly at the hands of depreciation, holding on to 46 to 51 per cent of its initial value after three years and 36,000 miles. The BMW X2 faces a similar outcome, holding on to 46 to 52 per cent.
To get an accurate valuation for a specific model, check out our free car valuation tool...
Interior, design & technology
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The updated Formentor features the ‘shark nose’ front end of Cupra’s all-electric line-up, along with triangular headlights, a neater grille and a completely revised bumper. A full-width light bar brightens up the rear of the car, showing off an illuminated central Cupra badge.
No matter which model you opt for, the Formentor delivers an impactful look, and the sporty flavour is complemented by the driver being able to find a suitably low driving position. The top-spec VZ3 includes impressive carbon-backed bucket seats that offer good support and plenty of comfort.
Interior and dashboard design
The Formentor has a much more modern and stylish interior than its Cupra Ateca sibling. A huge 12.9-inch central touchscreen is perched on top of the dashboard, and most of the climate controls have been migrated onto the screen to give a cleaner look, much to the detriment of usability on the move.
There’s also a digital instrument cluster that comes as standard, plus a steering wheel with copper detailing and a carbon fibre-effect centre.
Materials and build quality
The interior has enough classy touches to lift it above a standard SEAT – especially in either V2, V3, or VZ specification, which get a leather-covered dashboard. Look down, and you’ll see a lot of familiar switchgear and the stubby gearlever out of the latest Volkswagen Golf, but overall, the interior still feels quite special. You’ll still find some cheaper plastics lower down that don’t quite cut the mustard in a £40,000 car, and we also think that the flappy paddles behind the steering wheel don’t feel premium enough.
Infotainment, sat-nav and stereo
Every Formentor version now features a new 12.9-inch touchscreen. In terms of functionality, it’s not a massive step forward, but it’s more intuitive than before, while some bespoke graphics make it feel distinct from other VW Group models. The divisive climate control touch sliders are thankfully now illuminated, too.
There are some useful shortcuts on the climate control page, such as a setting to warm your feet, and another to cool the cabin, but we still prefer physical buttons to make things easier to find while you’re driving.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto smartphone connectivity are both standard, so you can bypass Cupra’s software for the most part. You get four USB-C ports (two for the front seat occupants and two for those in the rear) to keep your devices topped up, plus standard wireless phone charging.
A seven-speaker audio system with Bluetooth and DAB radio is standard across the range, while the VZ3 model upgrades to a ten-speaker arrangement courtesy of Sennheiser.
If you’re prioritising overall practicality, then you might find that the Formentor is a little compromised – particularly in terms of boot space. But, Cupra has ensured its sporty SUV comes laden with useful touches to make life on the road just a bit easier to manage.
Standard kit includes electrically adjustable, folding and heated door mirrors, wireless smartphone charging, three-zone climate control and integrated navigation with a three-year subscription to features such as online traffic information and map updates. Take a step up from the entry V1 specification and you’ll benefit from heated front seats, a power tailgate and a rear view camera.
“The Formentor feels much nicer than a VW Golf inside, but it still can’t quite match up to Audi’s standard when it comes to material quality in the cabin. Most of the plastics are soft, and the seats are great, but there are a few areas where it feels like there’s been some money saved.” - Sean Carson, former Auto Express associate editor.
Boot space & practicality
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If you’re prioritising overall practicality, then you might find that the Formentor is a little compromised - particularly in terms of boot space. But, Cupra has ensured its sporty SUV comes laden with useful touches to make life on the road just a bit easier to manage.
Dimensions and size
The Formentor is 4,451mm long, 1,839mm wide (excluding mirrors) and 1,537mm tall, which means it’s not as long or as wide as a Peugeot 408, but it is slightly taller. The Formentor is also a tad longer than the Cupra Ateca.
| Dimensions comparison | |||
| Model | Cupra Formentor | BMW X2 | Peugeot 408 |
| Length | 4,451mm | 4,567mm | 4,690mm |
| Width | 1,839mm | 1,845mm | 1,859mm |
| Height | 1,537mm | 1,590mm | 1,478mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,680mm | 2,690mm | 2,790mm |
| Boot space | 345 to 450 litres | 515 to 560 litres | 471 to 536 litres |
Seats & passenger space
The Formentor measures a little longer than the Ateca SUV, which means it offers reasonable practicality despite its low, coupe-style roofline. There’s plenty of space up front, which should be fine for most people, and you feel well cosseted. The front sports seats allow you to lower the driving position more than you might think.
Even with the chunky front seats, it doesn’t feel too claustrophobic in the back. Should you want the interior to feel even more airy, a panoramic sunroof costs around £1,500 – although that will have an impact on head room. Those buying the Formentor as a family car will no doubt be utilising the two ISOFIX child seat anchor points on the outer positions of the rear seats. The securing rings are located behind some easily removable plastic tabs.
Boot space
Boot capacity is a mixed bag with the Formentor. Two-wheel drive petrol models feature a generous 450 litre capacity, which is already 86 litres less than you get in a Peugeot 408, but adding four-wheel drive reduces the Cupra’s boot capacity by a further 30 litres.
Four-wheel drive models still have a slightly bigger boot than the Cupra Leon or Volkswagen Golf GTI, though. The plug-in hybrid Formentors, meanwhile, have just 345 litres of boot space, which isn’t particularly impressive for a car of this size, and again, it’s less than you get in a Peugeot 408 PHEV.
Towing
Up a 12 per cent gradient, in either e-Hybrid or 2.0 TSI 310 4Drive forms, the Formentor can tow a braked trailer weighing up to 1,700kg. Choose a 1.5 TSI version, and the towing limit falls to 1,500kg. Having a towbar installed costs around £850. The Peugeot 408 also manages up to 1,700kg, provided you opt for plug-in hybrid power.
“The Formentor has been a worthy family car for me, my wife, and our three-year-old daughter, too. We squeezed in all we needed for a weekend away, and with one of the rear seats down, we managed to slot in a small armchair my in-laws had gifted us.” - Richard Ingram, deputy editor.
Reliability & safety
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We don’t have any data from the Driver Power ownership satisfaction survey on what the Formentor is like to live with, but Cupra needs to work on improving its rather disappointing 28th place out of 32 in the list of best car manufacturers in the most recent survey.
Safety shouldn’t be a concern, though, because the Formentor received a full five-star crash safety rating from Euro NCAP under its most up-to-date testing criteria.
Standard equipment includes auto high-beam assist, collision warning and autonomous emergency braking, a driver alert system and lane-keeping assist. To gain the full suite of active safety systems you need to upgrade to either V2, VZ2 or VZ3 specifications, which add Advanced lane assist, Side-assist and pre-crash tech (including automatic front and rear seat belt tensioners, window closure and hazard light operation).
Unlike most VW Group products, the Cupra Formentor features a five-year/90,000-mile warranty, beating its Volkswagen T-Roc R rival with its average three-year/60,000-mile cover. Cupra also offers three levels of maintenance cover, which you can choose to pay for via monthly instalments.
| Euro NCAP safety ratings | |
| Euro NCAP safety rating | Five stars (2025) |
| Adult occupant protection | 91% |
| Child occupant protection | 86% |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 79% |
| Safety assist | 77% |
Buying and owning
- Best buy: Cupra Formentor 1.5 TSI 150 DSG V1
The entry-level Cupra Formentor is good to drive, comfortable and reasonably practical, so we don’t see much reason to fork out on a fancier model unless you’re tempted by extra goodies or better performance.
While it doesn’t offer the tax savings or outright efficiency of the PHEVs, the 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine can still achieve up to 47.9mpg on the WLTP combined cycle, which is pretty good for a sporty SUV.
While V1 trim is the Formentor at its most basic, you’ll still get a 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, tri-zone climate control, sports seats and a heated steering wheel, so it doesn’t exactly feel spartan inside. You’ll also avoid the luxury car tax of VZ1 and above models.
Cupra Formentor alternatives
Key rivals come in the shape of premium small SUVs like the Audi Q2 and BMW X2, as well as some other coupe-SUVs like the Peugeot 408. All trade heavily on their individual kerb appeal, so the Formentor continues to have its work cut out, luring customers away from these established marques. Fully electric models like the Cupra Tavascan, Citroen e-C4 and Smart #3 also bring even lower running costs and company car tax savings into the mix.
Cupra Formentor VZN: long-term test
Our deputy editor, Richard Ingram, ran a pre-facelift version of the range-topping 306bhp Cupra Formentor VZN as part of our long-term fleet. Although Richard is usually a strong advocate for electric cars, he has enjoyed the engaging driving experience and sporty exhaust sound that this family-friendly SUV provides.
This hasn’t been enough to lure him back towards combustion power, though, as the Cupra has quite a big appetite for fuel. Richard has only managed to achieve an average economy of 31mpg, and this has dipped as low as 18mpg on short journeys. You can read the full long term test here...
Frequently Asked Questions
The Cupra Formentor is good to drive, with strong performance and a suitably high-tech interior. Cabin quality is sound, but there are some materials that don’t quite come to scratch.
Deals on the Formentor and alternatives
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